31 March 2020
Juve ended football action (due to the halting of all sporting activities) with an important clean sheet.
The importance of it is because it formed part of a decisive 2-0 victory in the Derby d'Italia against Inter, as well as it forming part of an almost perfect defensive display (the Juventus backline will be analysed next week).
Against Inter, the Old Lady has in fact kept a clean sheet in five consecutive Derby d'Italia home games, for the second time in Serie A history. The first came in December 1999 (seven clean sheets in that case), while before this match, Juventus kept a clean sheet in 49% of their home games against Inter in Serie A (42/86), a percentage that rises to 63% in the era of three points to a victory (15/24).
Eight shots were fired by Inter, but only one hit the target and that was saved by Szczesny. This is a stat that speaks volumes about the defensive test of the Bianconeri.
Speaking of Szczesny: the Polish goalkeeper has the best best percentage of saves, 79.8%, out of anyone this season.
G1G1 FACTOR
On December 18th against Sampdoria, Gianluigi Buffon equaled Paolo Maldini as the record holder in Serie A appearances (647 games, excluding play-offs).
On 15 December against Udinese, Super Gigi joined Alessandro Del Piero as the player with the most Serie A appearances in the history of Juventus. He has played 479 matches so far in black and white jersey so far.
Overall, Juventus have conceded 24 goals, and despite this being a growing figure compared to last season, they have the second best defence in Serie A, on a par with Inter and with only one goal less than Lazio.
Not only that: Juventus boast the best defence in the league when looking at the first 45 minutes of a match (eight goals conceded): the Bianconeri have not conceded a goal in the first half in 2020.
